5 teams that will hate the MAC in 2008

1. Army

The Games:

Aug. 29 (Week 1): Temple @ Army
Sep. 20 (Week 4): Akron @ Army
Oct. 11 (Week 7): Eastern Michigan @ Army
Oct. 18 (Week 8): Army @ Buffalo

Projected Record against the MAC: 1-3

Even though Army is an independent, it might as well join the Mid-American considering they play 4 teams in our conference this year. The Black Knights are in a definite rebuilding mode with only 8 returning starters, so it might be hard to notch up even one win against a MAC team. Army's best bet is to beat one of the projected last place teams in EMU or Akron, in which they get both teams at home.

2. Navy

Sep. 5 (Week 2): Navy @ Ball St
Nov. 1 (Week 10): Temple @ Navy
Nov. 25 (Week 13): Navy @ Northern Illinois

Projected Record: 0-3

Navy is another military academy that is in a rebuilding mode with a new coach this year and a loss of some key players, returning only 5 on offense. I'm assuming the defense can only improve from the horrible numbers they had last year. This year is tough against MAC teams, having to face top West teams in Ball St and NIU on the road. The Temple game is a rematch from last year, while Temple returns all 22 of their starters.

3. Indiana

Sep. 20 (Week 4): Ball St @ Indiana
Nov. 1 (Week 10): Central Michigan @ Indiana

Projected Record: 0-2

Indiana had a landmark year last year with a 7-6 record and went to their first bowl game in 14 years. This year will be a lot different with the loss of their career leading WR James Hardy. QB Kellen Lewis is going to run around all day, but is not going to have anybody to throw it to. They run in to a buzzsaw, getting 2 of the top MAC teams at home. The Ball St game is a rematch, with Ball State having the stronger team this year, while CMU is the defending MAC champs. They better come up with something to make the offense go or this Hoosier team is going to fall back to the bottom of the Big 10.

4. Minnesota

Aug. 30 (Week 1): Northern Illinois @ Minnesota
Sep. 6 (Week 2): Minnesota @ Bowling Green

Projected Record: 0-2

Minnesota is another one of those Big 10 teams that will probably be in the cellar thi upcoming season. Last year they were only 1-11 with new coach Tim Brewster. Minnesota did lose to Bowling Green in OT last year so it won't be a big surprise if the Falcons beat them again on their own turf. The opener against NIU should be a battle, but I'm confident that my Huskies have enough expeirence and talent to beat a rebuilding Minnesota team.

5. Michigan

Sep. 6 (Week 2): Miami OH @ Michigan
Oct. 11 (Week 7): Toledo @ Michigan

Projected Record: 1-1

Michigan has a new HC in Rich Rodriguez, who brings in an offensive system that is unfamiliar to the current roster that the Wolverines currently have. Every part of this offense is rebuilding with only 3 starters returning on that side of the ball. I'm gonna give Michigan the benefit of the doubt that they can win at least one of these games, but I wouldn't be that confident in their abilities on the offensive side of the ball. Both Toledo and Miami OH are teams flying under the radar that could surprise and take down the Wolverienes, which would be great in my mind.